Ball and socket mounting for mirrors and the like



Oct. 28, 1952 J. M K. BINDLEY 2,615,353

BALL AND SOCKET MOUNTING FOR MIRRORS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 2'7, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET l IN VEN TOR. JA M55 Mc K. .B/NDLE Y Q TTOEA/E V6,

Oct. 28, 1952 2,615,368

BALL AND, SOCKET MOUNTING FOR MIRRORS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 27, 1950 J. M K. BINDLEY 2 SHEETS-Sl-1EET 2 IN V EN TOR.

J M m MW ATTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 28, 1952 BALL AND SOCKET MOUNTING LFOR MIRRORS AND THE "LIKE James McK. Bindley, East Cleveland, Ohio Application February 27, 195Q',,S61iia. l,ND.1%,533 2 claims. (01. 88+98") This invention relates, as indicated, to mirror mountings, and more particularly to a ball and socket type mounting therefor. V

Swivel-type mountings for mirrors are, of course, well known to all. The ordinary automobile rear-vision mirror is probably the best known example of a mirror thus mounted. Rearvision mirrors are commonly supported by a holder which curves or bulges rearwardly to form a'housing adapted to accommodate a ball and socket joint therebetween. An aperture of somewhat greater diameter than the stem of the ball is provided in the back of the holder with the marginal edge thereof flared rearwardly to provide a seat for the ball. A resilient metal strip is secured within the holder to press on the ball and thus frictionally clamp the latter against its seat. The prior art construction thus described is deficient in two main particulars. First, such mirrors are rather thick and bulky, and secondly, due to the manner of construction, they are difficult of assembly or disassembly. It is, of course, highly important with all types of automotive accessories that the same be adapted for compact packaging and shipment but nevertheless be readily assembled and installed.

One object of this invention, therefore, is to provide a. ball and socket mounting for rearvision mirrors and the like which'is inexpensive of manufacture and which, together with such mirror, forms a relatively thin compact unit.

A further object is to provide a ball and socket mounting which requires a minimum of fittings on the outside of the mirror back and which may be easily and quickly assembled or disassembled.

Still another object is to provide a ball and socket mounting which requires little or no adjustment notwithstanding reasonable wear and vibration.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the following description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a mirror showing the ball and socket mounting therefor;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the mirror holder with the mirror removed;

Fig. 3 is a rear view of such mirror holder with socket mounting shown in the ball 'and'outer clampingmember therefor removed i Fig. 4 is a sectional-view taken along theline 4-4 on Fig. '1, with the mirror being slightly curved as shown; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail section 301' :the Fig. 4 with balland stem removed.

Referring now to the drawing and more par ticularly to Fig. 1 thereof, the ball andsocke't 1 joint of my invention is there shown as it is employed to mount a thin, slightly curved rear- View mirror I.

vided with forwardly turned flanges ;3 which embrace and grip the mirror. Such'stamping 2 has Secured to the outer side of thoifsetportibn 4 t is a thin, resilient annular stamping 1, the-inner marginal edge 8 of which is of somewhat greater diameter than the diameter of the stem9 of the ball, such edge being flared rearwardly likewise to provide a depression or complementary seat I0 for such ball. The ball'is thus held within the depressions 5 and I 0,. the natural resilience-- of the outer stamping 1 serving to clamp the ball .firmly, yet resiliently, in its socket. As shown.

stem 9 may be provided with a constricted neck adjacent the ball to increase the degree of swivel action obtainable.

A generally flat annular sheet-metal ring ll soldered to such offset portion in the recess defined thereby and encircling the depression 5 is provided with a pair of apertures I2 of the self-locking, or speed-nut, type which are adapted threadedly to receive screws [3 which pass through openings in the annular stamping I and oifset'portion of the mirror holder, thus locking such latter two members securely but resiliently together. The apertures l2 are formed by generally diametrically opposed prongs l 4 which extend inwardly with inner marginal edges which are helically disposed to form approximately 360,

or one turn, of thread. When screws I 3 are secured in their respective apertures, the prongs M will be drawn slightly toward stamping 2, retaining such screws securely nothwithstanding the vibration which may be expected in auto travel. Since ring I] encircles depression 5, it requires no additional space between the mirror A generally rectangular mirror holder in the form of a metal stamping 2is pr o-" assisting in clamping the ball in desired manner. -The outer annular stamping l is cut awaysomewhat at the bottom leaving a notch 5 to permit the mirror to be pivoted into a plane parallel to the stem 9 of the ball to permit extreme swiveling of the mirror when the latter is to be mounted over the dashboard of an automobile, for example. When packaging the mirror assembly for shipment, stamping i may be detached andthe parts packedin a very small carton since the mirror holder is quite thin and flat.

v It'will beapparent from the foregoing that the ob'jects of this invention have been achieved in a simple and inexpensive manner: a very thin swivel-mounted mirror is produced; the units are readily disassembled for shipment in a carton of minimum size; the socket construction sery s togrip the ballfirmly but resiliently over aconsiderable portion'of its periphery; and the parts maybequickly assembled.

Other Qmodespf applying the principle of the invention maybe employed, change being made as, regards the details described, provided the features-stated inany of the following claims or the equivalent of such beemployed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claimas my invention;

1. A rear-vision mirror assembly comprising an elongated mirrona shallow metal'stamping enclosing ,the'back of said mirror and with the latter secured therein, said stamping having an outwardly bulged portion generally centrally thereof with an inwardly directed generally hemispherical depression'in such bulge, a ball adapted to fit in such depression and provided with a stem for mounting the same, a thin, resilient sheet metal stamping adapted to fit over said ball and provided with a central opening togacoommodatesaid stem, the portion of said latter stampingaround such opening being outwardly flared to engage and seat said ball in a region generally opposed to such hemispherical said second'stamping being cut away atone side to permit swinging of said stem into position generally parallel to said mirror.

2; A'mirror assembly comprising a mirror, a shallow. metal stamping enclosing the back of said mirror and with the latter secured therein, said stamping having an outwardly bulged portion generally centrally thereof with an inwardly directed generally hemispherical depression in such bulge. a ball adapted to fit in such depression and provided" with a stem for mounting the same, a thin resilient sheet metal stamping adapted, to fit over said ball and provided with an opening to accommodate said stem, the portionof said latter stamping around such opening being outwardly flared to engage and seat said ball in a region generally opposed to such hemispherical depression, a resilient sheet metal ring within such bulge in said first stamping andv encircling such depression, said ring being secured in such position at spaced points of attachment, spaced opposed apertures in said two stampings for insertion of screws therethrough, and aligned speed-nut type apertures in said sheet metal ring adapted threadedly to engage such screws to secure said second stamping in resilient clamping engagement with said ball;

JAMES MCK. BINDLEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the I file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

